N$8m in grants to boost regional food security, micro-finance projects
Rural and urban development minister Erastus Uutoni says over N$8 million has been handed to regional councils across the country so far in grants for micro-finance and food security projects.
He said this during the opening of the ministry's annual rural development and progress workshop in Keetmanshoop this week.
"Over 600 temporary jobs were created through the Food/Cash for Work programme in rural areas and over 100 temporary jobs were created for young artisans through the rural development centres where they were involved in the manufacturing of productive equipment," the minister said.
He said the annual workshop "is taking place at a critical juncture in our country's history. As you are aware, our country is experiencing a devastating drought, which is threatening the livelihoods of communities, especially in rural areas where some of our people are losing their sources of income and survival and are in urgent need of help in the form of basic needs of food and access to water."
Collaborative development
Uutoni added that given the increased interest of people in rural areas in the fields of poultry, horticulture, and value addition, various training and mentorship sessions have been provided through rural development centres in partnership with different stakeholders, including the agriculture ministry.
"We are particularly grateful to our development partners and the private sector for our rural development initiatives in general and particularly in the area of food security," the minister added.
"I wish to single out the generous support of the United Nations World Food Programme valued at N$8.4 million and the Rössing Foundation to our Rapid Rural Transformation Initiative, which is currently being piloted in the Omaheke Region and will soon be extended to the Kunene Region," he said.
Uutoni urged rural communities to seize this opportunity to strengthen partnerships, leverage innovative approaches, and advance the shared vision of sustainable rural transformation, propelling rural areas towards a future of prosperity and sustainable development.
He said this during the opening of the ministry's annual rural development and progress workshop in Keetmanshoop this week.
"Over 600 temporary jobs were created through the Food/Cash for Work programme in rural areas and over 100 temporary jobs were created for young artisans through the rural development centres where they were involved in the manufacturing of productive equipment," the minister said.
He said the annual workshop "is taking place at a critical juncture in our country's history. As you are aware, our country is experiencing a devastating drought, which is threatening the livelihoods of communities, especially in rural areas where some of our people are losing their sources of income and survival and are in urgent need of help in the form of basic needs of food and access to water."
Collaborative development
Uutoni added that given the increased interest of people in rural areas in the fields of poultry, horticulture, and value addition, various training and mentorship sessions have been provided through rural development centres in partnership with different stakeholders, including the agriculture ministry.
"We are particularly grateful to our development partners and the private sector for our rural development initiatives in general and particularly in the area of food security," the minister added.
"I wish to single out the generous support of the United Nations World Food Programme valued at N$8.4 million and the Rössing Foundation to our Rapid Rural Transformation Initiative, which is currently being piloted in the Omaheke Region and will soon be extended to the Kunene Region," he said.
Uutoni urged rural communities to seize this opportunity to strengthen partnerships, leverage innovative approaches, and advance the shared vision of sustainable rural transformation, propelling rural areas towards a future of prosperity and sustainable development.
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